Cocoa exporters call for more production

Exporters of cocoa have called for the need for farmers to increase production and productivity of the crop in the country.

"More production is needed. We need to look at other districts as well. We also need to look for the regeneration of other trees in Bundibugyo because the trees are getting tired," Bent Andersen a representative from African Trade Winds Limited said.

This was during a workshop of regulatory impact assessment on the Uganda Cocoa sub-sector hosted by Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) on Thursday at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.

An impact assessment report that was done by UCDA showed that cocoa could be grown in 25 other districts around the central, eastern and northern parts of the country. Currently, however, over 85% of the cocoa is being got only from Bundibugyo.

This puts pressure on the farmers who are selling cocoa to sell half-fermented cocoa to buyers.

During the discussions, both the farmers and exporters agreed on the need to increase on production and productivity of the crop.

The exporters applauded the farmers for the good quality of the beans which they said was even better than that of their competitors from West Africa.

Cocoa is one of the most profitable crops on the market and is ranked among the top five.

According to the European Union (EU), cocoa exports from Uganda to EU countries had peaked at sh153b (€36 m) in 2015 and the cocoa sector presented a strong potential for further development.

The EU also acknowledged that the demand for cocoa is also constantly on the rise, as the bloc accounts for over 60% of the world's cocoa bean imports and more than 40% of the cocoa powder and butter imports.

Massimo Diomedi Camassei, the EU trade adviser said it is their ambition to establish bilateral partnerships that are sustainable. He also said there is a need to support the operators and work towards regional integration.

"We are going to support directly private operators to make more investments. There is a need for additional support to strengthen the role of the private sector. In the years to come, capacity and finances to do this will come," Deomedi said.

Uganda is believed to be exporting over 6000 tonnes of cocoa currently which is the only available data.

"The demand for the product has never been higher. The key thing is meeting the quality standards of operations. It is amazing that this crop that has not been given any support is doing this well," Drake Rukundo a regulatory impact assessment expert said while presenting the report.

Rukundo said the product is underdeveloped and under-regulated. He also said some of the cocoa that is sold comes from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo and the black market.

The exporters and farmers cited the need for the government to wake up and enhance its role in the cocoa growing sector.

The need to enhance the government's regulatory role in the formal cocoa business was also emphasised.